According to a 2011 study published in the Korean Journal of Family Medicine, not emptying your bladder for three hours since you last urinated, increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure temporarily.
When your bladder is full, you are exerting pressure on your kidneys, and this could cause a hike in blood pressure. However, according to urology resident Dr. Martina Ambardjieva, per BestLife, something else could be going on as well.
“It is thought that distention of the urinary bladder can increase blood pressure because it causes an increase in sympathetic activity. This increased activity results in an increase of heart rate, constriction of arterioles, and increased peripheral vascular resistance,” explained the expert. Either way, health professionals recommend that you empty your bladder before a blood pressure reading to get a more accurate measurement. Pee and blood pressure share a few more connections as well.
